Former NBA superstar and UNC alumnus Michael Jordan has made a $10 million donation to the UNC School of Social Work in honor of his mother, Deloris P. Jordan.
In a Monday release from the school, UNC said the donation is the largest in the school of social work’s history, and said it will use the funds to advance social work innovation as well as supporting students and faculty.
“My mother has always believed in the power of helping children, families and communities, and she has spent her life putting that belief into action,” said Michael Jordan. “Honoring her through this gift to the UNC School of Social Work is truly meaningful to my family and to me. North Carolina will always be home, and I’m proud to support the social workers who are on the ground each and every day helping people navigate challenges, find opportunities and build stronger communities. I hope this gift helps make it possible for more students to pursue this important work.”
As a part of the donation, the school will officially rename its Global Social Development Innovations Center as “the Deloris P. Jordan Global Social Development Innovations Center.” The center, which was established in 2017, works to support youth across the world, implementing programs that support their economic security, financial inclusion and their development in the work force. The donation will also be used to create “the Jordan Family Scholars” program, which will provide 10 Master of Social Work students with financial need $12,500 scholarships in its first year.
“We could not be more grateful to Michael Jordan for this generous investment in Carolina and the people and communities we serve,” said UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts. “Deloris Jordan’s lifelong dedication to children and families is reflected in this investment, which will strengthen the School of Social Work’s ability to improve lives across North Carolina and beyond.”
At an event on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill on Oct. 5, 2026, the UNC School of Social Work announced a historic $10 million gift from Michael Jordan ’86 in honor of his mother, Deloris P. Jordan. Jordan himself spoke to attendees through video. (Jeyhoun Allebaugh/UNC-Chapel Hill)
The donation comes on the heels of UNC’s announcement that the school of social work will launch its first undergraduate degree in the field starting in the fall of 2027. The new Bachelor of Social Work degree was formally approved by the UNC System’s Board of Governors in July, the latest step in the School of Social Work’s effort to increase enrollment to 1,000 students by the fall of 2029.
“I am honored that this investment will support the next generation of social workers and the important work they do,” said Deloris P. Jordan. “I am deeply proud to have been part of the Carolina family for more than 40 years, and it is especially meaningful to know that this gift will strengthen the education and opportunities available to those preparing to serve others. Knowing that this work will extend beyond North Carolina through the Deloris P. Jordan Global Social Development Innovations Center makes it all the more special.”
On top of supporting scholarship programs and development within the school, Jordan’s gift will also be used to start a new research symposium. “The Deloris P. Jordan Global Social Development Innovations Center’s Global Research Symposium” will feature speakers from more than 20 countries over two days, and will be held at the Friday Conference Center. It will also feature a “fireside chat” with Deloris P. Jordan discussing her work in Kenya, where she helped establish “the Kenya Women and Children’s Wellness Centre” in Nairobi.
“The magnitude of Michael Jordan’s gift will have an immediate and lasting impact, reaching from our classrooms in Chapel Hill to the many organizations and communities we partner with in North Carolina and across the globe,” said UNC School of Social Work Dean Ramona Denby-Brinson. “We are deeply appreciative of his investment and the shared commitment to service that connects Mrs. Jordan and Michael Jordan to our school and our mission.”
Michael Jordan’s gift to the UNC School of Social Work is just his latest donation in honor of his mother. In January, Novant Health dedicated the “Novant Health Deloris P. Jordan Neurosciences Institute” in Wilmington after the healthcare company received a similar $10 million donation from the retired basketball player.
Jordan, originally from Wilmington, played at UNC from 1981-84 under head coach Dean Smith. As a freshman starter on the Tar Heels’ 1981-82 national championship team, Jordan rose to national prominence when he hit the game-winning shot in the final seconds of the title game against Georgetown. He was named the ACC’s Rookie of the Year that season. Before leaving Chapel Hill, Jordan would earn two first team All-ACC selections, two consensus first team All-America honors and sweep the National Player of the Year awards in 1984. His No. 23 jersey has since been retired by the program.
Featured image via Brian Strickland/UNC Media Relations.
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